Play or else ultimatum

THE Toowoomba Rugby League has issued Brothers with an ultimatum to play next week's Madsen-Rasmussen final or face the consequences.

Brothers, the only team to have so far secured a place in the mid-season final, sent the TRL a letter this week, outlining their concerns with the date of the final.

Injuries plus representative and other commitments have flawed the club and Brothers spokesman Tony Price said the Leprechauns simply wanted to give the TRL prior warning of their player situation.

Price said the letter did not contain a threat of forfeit.

"What we wanted to do was to let them know our situation, because we're in a bit of strife with player numbers for the final, and see if there was some way we could all sit down next week and come up with something that would be beneficial to all parties," Price said.

"We want to win this trophybecause Mick Madsen and Elton Rasmussen are from our club, and we just want the game to be given the prestige it deserves.

"All we have asked is what our options are."

Pittsworth, another of the contenders for the final, have also raised concerns over the game being scheduled on the same weekend as the state titles.

Brothers have had three players selected to represent the Mustangs at the titles, while the Danes would be without five players and coach Chris McEwan.

Both teams have a number of injury concerns.

TRL president Noel Davis, however, reiterated the game would go ahead next Saturday night as planned and any team pulling out would face reprimand.

He would not say what punishments they would receive.

Davis said the TRL had sent Brothers a letter asking them to confirm, within 48 hours, whether or not they would play the game.

"The last thing we want is for this to develop into a bunfight with anybody," Davis said.

"We set the date in December 2004 and we've done too much work not to go ahead with it.

"We don't feel we deserve criticism and we've received overwhelming support from the other clubs."

The final will be held at Clive Berghofer Stadium next Saturday night.

Wattles, Pittsworth and Goondiwindi are all a chance of securing the second berth in the final this weekend.